I believe your talking about the raising the presser foot using a knee lift attachment. I have it on both the Bernina and the Baby Lock. I imagine other machines have it by now. Years ago I saw a universal attachment that would fit any machine. I don't know if they still make them. maybe it was in Clotilde catalog.
Do I like it. Absolutely. It is especially nice when machine quilting. There are new machines also available that do it automatically with some sensor I guess. Just place the fabric under the foot and they lower to sew. I don't know that I would like that - at first anyway. I know I don't like that I gave up control of the needle when I opted for the needle stopping in the down position. That is a must-have feature for machine quilters too, if you ask me.